The Girl Who Feared Men (SAMPLE)

Chapter 33: We ain't in Kansas No More Part 2

Songs:

Messy- Kiiara

2002- Anne-Marie

Careful- Cardi B

A/N:

This chapter honestly ruined my entire life. But for everyone who has been recently complaining about how short my previous ones are, here is a 10,600-word chapter:

ENJOY.

---

Ellie

"Sorry, Ellie." Kiara frowns as she helps me carry my bags down the stairs. After living off Kiara's parent's food and staying under their roof for five days, Kiara's parents found the courage to indirectly kick me out. I knew it was rude to take advantage of their kindness but as the days went by it became harder and harder for me to try and go back home. I didn't realize how bad things were with Jessa until I checked my phone one morning and saw zero missed calls from her. I checked the next day and I saw the same thing.

Zero missed calls.

Zero text messages.

That has never happened before. She always calls or texts or sends out a missing person report. She does something.

She always looks for me. But she's not doing that now. She doesn't care anymore.

And I can't even be mad at her for it. With all the shit I've pulled, If I were her, I would hate me too.

"It's fine. It's about time I went back home. I can't stay at your house forever. I'm surprised your parents let me stay so long."

"Probably because they didn't know you were gonna stay so long," Julianna chimes in. She came over to help.

I laugh. "Makes sense."

When all my stuff is downstairs we all sit on the stairs. "You guys are still coming to Megan's birthday party right?"

They squish their faces up in discomfort.

"YOU GUYS PROMISED!" I point a finger at them.

"We know...but we still kind of fucking hate her," Kiara says.

"Ellie, I know you think you can trust her but just...be careful," Julianna says.

"Megan is such a sweetheart! She's not the same person she was before." I frown, knowing they won't see Megan the way I see her. I understand why, it just sucks that she's become this kind, caring person, and nobody really sees that. I guess I'm just biased because she's one of the only people in Westprep that I've confided in.

"Nobody really changes Ellie," Julianna says. "If you're capable of doing cruel things once, you'll be able to do them again. No matter how wide your smile is; no matter how kind you are to people, there will always be a small shard of darkness inside of you. And as it continues to be poked and prodded; as it continues to be tampered with, it'll grow in size. Slowly but surely becoming less like a shard and more like a virus spreading all across your body. When you least expect it, it'll come out and destroy you and everyone around you."

Kiara and I stare wide-eyed at Julianna.

"Okay. I don't hate her that much," Kiara whispers.

"Alright..." I scratch my head, thinking of a way to diffuse the situation. "You guys don't have to come if you don't want to. I'm not going to force you."

"Oh, we'll still come. Not for her. We're going to steal all her food and some presents."

I clap my hands together. "Okay, so it's a plan."